The Railway Children BookBench Donated to Seven Stories

A generous, anonymous donor has gifted The Railway Children BookBench - one of the ‘Books About Town’ benches commissioned by National Literacy Trust, to Seven Stories.

This beautiful bench is one of the Books About Town benches commissioned by National Literacy Trust, which appeared in London in Summer 2014. The Railway Children Bench was located in Greenwich and was made by One Red Shoe, two artists from Cheshire who design and paint murals, working in public spaces, businesses and private homes - producing gable-end murals to complete, artistically themed rooms and creative interiors. They chose the dramatic train-stopping scene for the BookBench, with the oncoming train and clouds of steam depicted on the reverse.

The 50 unique BookBench sculptures, designed by artists and famous names, were sold at public auction on Tuesday 7 October at the Southbank Centre and a generous supporter of Seven Stories purchased The Railway Children design for the centre.

The Railway Children, published in 1905, is a classic children’s book which continues to captivate young readers over 100 years later. When Father goes away with two strangers one evening, the lives of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis are shattered. With their mother they move from their comfortable London home to live in a simple country cottage, where Mother writes books to make ends meet. However, they soon come to love the railway that runs near their cottage, and they make a habit of waving to the Old Gentleman who rides on it. They have many adventures, and when they save a train from disaster, they are helped by the Old Gentleman to solve the mystery of their father's disappearance.

Click here to view all of the Bookbench Designs and to find out more about the project.